Teeth color depends on various factors. Some people have their tooth discolored by birth; some others have it with age and some others even after having white bright teeth spoils them by food habits, smoking, and drinking habits that are often detrimental of healthy white teeth. These surface stains on tooth are easily removed by various teeth treatment methods for whitening.

External stains that are caused by food and tobacco can be handled by using whitening strips and gels that are mostly found OTC. Thorough cleanings done by a dentist will remove mostly external stains caused by tobacco and food. Whitening toothpaste also helps remove surface staining between dental visits. If staining has been present for longer period, you need to have your teeth whitened professionally to remove more stubborn external stains.

Internal stains can be removed by bonding, bleaching, capping or crowning. In fact all of these methods are safe and effective; your dentist will suggest which treatment is suitable for you depending on the condition and formation of your teeth and the outcome of whitening that you want to achieve.

Before recommendation, your dentist will consider some factors like the extent and pattern of staining, remaining tooth structure - its shape and size etc.

In cosmetic dentistry one of the most effective techniques to treating tooth problems is tooth bonding which uses composite porcelain or resins or composite veneers to cover the stains and deformed broken teeth. Two basic bonding techniques are Composite Bonding and Veneer bonding.

In composite bonding the frontal teeth is slightly reduced to protect the new tooth from being wider. Then microscopic grooves are fixed on the tooth surface with a mild acid. By matching with the color of the surrounding teeth a composite resin is placed on the teeth. Then that is contoured into the shape and set using a curing light. Finally that will be polished and smoothened.

In veneer bonding a veneer is prepared to match the shape and color of the teeth. Porcelain veneers are usually stronger, but the composite veneers are very less expensive. The cosmetic dentist takes an impression of the teeth with porcelain veneers and sends it to the dental lab for further fabrication of the veneers. The dentist does this generally after the frontal tooth has been reduced.

In both the method dentist prepares the teeth for bonding by roughening the front surface of the teeth with mild etching solution. Then the veneer can be bonded with the help of dental bonding cement. Though it is more expensive, a porcelain veneer provides better color match to the neighboring teeth and usually lasts for five to ten years.